A friend of Brian Hooker has raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of his wife, Lynette Hooker, in the Bahamas. According to a friend, Hooker had access to a $33,000 high-tech thermal camera on his boat, which he did not use in the search for Lynette.
Missing at Sea
On the evening of April 4, the couple departed from Hope Town in the Bahamas around 7:30 p.m. They were headed back to their sailboat after a day on shore. Brian Hooker later reported to authorities that his wife fell off their dinghy due to rough waters. He paddled to shore, reaching Marsh Harbour by around 4 a.m. the following day.
Their sailboat, ‘Soulmate’, serves as their full-time home in retirement. The couple often sails around the U.S. and the Caribbean, according to their social media. Onboard the ‘Soulmate’ is a FLIR system, a forward-looking infrared camera that can detect heat signatures. This camera could have aided in the search for Lynette.
Unutilized Technology
Daniel Danforth, a friend of the Hookers, noted the capabilities of the thermal camera on ‘Soulmate’. He reported that Brian had previously mentioned the safety the system provided, citing instances where it could automatically detect temperatures and track movements based on heat signatures.
After Lynette’s disappearance, Brian Hooker messaged Danforth, indicating that she attempted to swim towards the sailboat after falling overboard. Danforth relayed information about the camera to the U.S. Coast Guard in early May, leading to their interest in the system during their investigation.
Investigation and Legal Matters
The Coast Guard has launched an active criminal investigation into Lynette Hooker’s disappearance. They have seized the ‘Soulmate’ to examine its equipment. Danforth informed the Coast Guard about the thermal camera, which they were initially unaware of, hoping to recover any potential data.
Brian Hooker returned to the U.S. to assist his ill mother, following a period in police custody. He has not been charged with any crime. His attorney, Crystal Marie Hauser, urged the public to give Hooker the benefit of the doubt and consider the diverse ways people handle such situations.
Fox News Digital has reached out to both the Hooker family attorney and the Coast Guard for further comments.